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National cancer program selects UAB cancer disparities researchers and leaders

  • June 11, 2012

UAB researchers selected as behavioral social science volunteers for SESRCD

Monica Baskin, Ph.D., and Michelle Martin, Ph.D., both associate professors in the UAB Division of Preventive Medicine, and Claudia Hardy, M.PA., director of the Deep South Network for Cancer Control, have been selected as behavioral social science volunteers for the American Psychological Association’s Socioeconomic Status Related Cancer Disparities Program.

The Socioeconomic Status Related Cancer Disparities Program aims to build the capacity of cancer-serving organizations and stakeholders to address health disparities in cancer.

The SESRCD, funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, aims to build the capacity of cancer-serving organizations and stakeholders to address health disparities in cancer through the adaptation and utilization of evidence-based cancer prevention and control efforts in socioeconomically disadvantaged populations.

Baskin, Martin and Hardy were selected from almost 300 applicants with the goal of integrating theoretical and research knowledge with real-world applications and community action to forge strategic partnerships, mobilize existing community assets and use evidence- and practice-based strategies to affect systems that improve health outcomes and reduce cancer disparities. 

Specifically, the program helps regional organizations maximize their potential by providing full-day professional development workshops, awarding capacity building mini-grants, providing an online forum to promote communication coordination and facilitating individualized professional assistance from behavioral and social science volunteers.

Baskin, Martin and Hardy completed training for the position and now join 40 other BSSVs who were selected in 2009 and 2010.